Audi A4 Allroad

2.0 TDI Quattro Sport 5dr S Tronic Auto

Used Audi A4 Allroad

Background

Crossover cars seem to be all the rage in the UK. Whereas we used to have fairly well defined car sectors, such as saloon, hatchback or estate, we now have a right old mash-up of SUV, MPV, supermini and luxury saloon cross breeds. Some of these are genuinely useful and others just seem like mutton dressed as lamb, or vice versa. The all-wheel drive estate car is probably one of the former. You get all the usefulness and practicality of a 4x4 but without the disapproving frowns from the green brigade that the big urban tractors get. Indeed, these things can slip quietly past without anyone noticing the 4x4 badge at all. Subaru has done this kind of car well but so has Volvo, with the Cross Country estate. Audi themselves got in on the act with the A6 allroad, so it was really only a matter of time before they tooled up the A4 in a similar guise. Actually it is a wonder that they took so long.

The A6 allroad sold very well since its arrival way back in 2000, so why Audi left the A4 allroad to 2009 is anyone's guess. It has been worth waiting for though. It was unveiled at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show and made it to our shores in the summer of that year. Sadly the launch coincided with the worst bit of the recession and sales were not as good as Audi had hoped. This can be good for second hand bargains though, as dealers had to cut prices to shift stock and these discounted prices are now reflected in the second hand market. An upgraded model was introduced in 2009 with a better quality interior and cosmetic tweaks to the lights, front grille and bumpers but you have to look quite close to notice the difference.

Bang for your buck

With typical German efficiency, Audi made the A4 allroad available in just a single trim level but it is a pretty luxurious one. You get three zone climate control, banging stereo, automatic headlights, rain sensitive wipers, digital control centre and big alloys. For practicality, you get Audi's boot rail system with stowage nets and a neat reversible floor mat with a rubber side for muddy luggage. The Audi A4 allroad competes against the likes of the Volvo XC70 and the Saab 9-3X but a lot of competition comes from Audi itself. The price of the A4 allroad overlaps with the likes of the Audi Q5 and Quattro A4 Avant, so drivers have to be sure that the A4 allroad is actually the Audi that they want.

What you'll pay

A 2010 Audi A4 allroad on a 10 plate with a fairly chunky 77,000 miles on the clock in 2.0 TDI format will cost around £18,000. At the other end of the price range, a 2012 (12 reg) 3.0 Litre TDI S Tronic with only 11,000 miles showing will part you from almost £32,000.

What to check

With such price tags, you will be glad to know that you are on extremely solid ground with the Audi A4 allroad. These are bomb proof in terms of build quality and even although they can live a tough life, corrosion just doesn't happen. Look on the underside of the car to check for any off-road damage, especially around the exhaust, valances and wheel arch liners. On the more powerful models, check for uneven tyre wear and always expect a fully stamped service book.

Parts

Based on a 2009 Audi A4 allroad 2.0 TFSI), A new clutch assembly will be something a shade over £200 and an exhaust system (not counting the catalyst) will be around £350. An alternator is about £180 and a radiator something like £160. Front brake pads go for around £75, with rear brake ones at £50.

How it drives

This is a very capable off road car as long as you don't get too ambitious with gradients and the like. There is a host of off-road enhancements over the Audi A4 Quattro Avant, like underside protection and an off-road detection system. On the road this is an accomplished motorway cruiser with a range of engines that will satisfy even the most demanding driver. The ride quality is great, with all the off-road gubbins seeming to disappear and leaving you with a fast, responsive and luxurious saloon. A used Audi A4 allroad is a very capable car indeed.